Jaguar Land Rover developing self-learning car

10 July 2014

Researchers at Jaguar Land Rover are developing an intelligent self-learning vehicle intended to offer a completely personalized driving experience and help prevent accidents by reducing driver distraction. The intelligent car will have its own on-board “Smart Assistant” to carry out a range of functions to allow the driver to concentrate on driving.

Using machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques, Jaguar Land Rover’s self-learning car will offer an array of services to the driver, via a new learning algorithm that recognizes who is in the car and learns their preferences and driving style. The software then applies this learning by using a range of variables including calendar, the time of day, traffic conditions and the weather to predict driver behavior and take over many of the daily driving chores, allowing the driver to concentrate on the road ahead.

Some of the features included in the Self-Learning Car concept include:

Destination Prediction – automatic destination entry to navigation system based on historical usage.

Fuel Assist – suggests fuel stations which have the driver’s preferred brand and location, based on historical usage. The car will let you know if you have enough fuel before long journeys the day before you travel.

Predictive Phone Call – predicts who you are likely to call in a certain situation.

Intelligent Notifications – based on traffic situation, the car can alert people that you will be late or provide relevant contextual updates such as flight delays on your drive to the airport.

Auto Adaptive Cruise Control (AACC) – when AACC is activated, the car applies the distance setting and acceleration profile it has learned when the driver is driving the vehicle.

The aim of our self-learning technology is to minimize driver distraction, which will help reduce the risk of accidents. Presenting the driver with information just at the right time whilst driving will reduce both cognitive distraction and the need for the driver to look away from the road to scroll through phone lists, or adjust mirrors, temperature or seat functions while on the road. Up until now most self-learning car research has only focused on traffic or navigation prediction. We want to take this a significant step further and our new learning algorithm means information learnt about you will deliver a completely personalised driving experience and enhance driving pleasure.

—Dr. Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology for Jaguar Land Rover